DIY Colorful Wood Trees
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyBring handmade cheer to your holiday decorating with these Colorful Wood Trees. This easy DIY craft uses basic materials like wood, paint, and a little creativity to create something special. They’re perfect for adding a pop of color to your home or gifting to friends and family. Simple, stylish, and endlessly customizable.

There’s something special about handmade holiday decor. It’s personal, it’s meaningful, and it brings a certain warmth that store-bought pieces just can’t match. These DIY Colorful Wood Christmas Trees (Or, as I like to call them, my colorful little forest) have been a favorite project of mine for years, and even now, they make me smile every time I unpack them for the season. They’re cheerful, simple to create, and the kind of craft that makes your home feel instantly festive.
If you’re looking for a fun and easy project to add a splash of color to your holiday decor, this is the one. Once the triangles are cut, the rest is pure fun! Whether you stick to classic Christmas hues or go bold and bright, these little trees are a joyful way to celebrate the season and make something uniquely your own.


Why You’ll Love This Project
- It’s simple yet striking. These colorful wood Christmas trees come together with just a few supplies, but the finished result looks so cheerful and polished. Even beginners will find this project easy to tackle.
- Completely customizable. Choose colors that complement your holiday decor or go bright and playful for a modern twist. You can keep things minimal or add extra flair with glitter, sequins, or garlands.
- A fun group activity. This is a great craft to do with kids, friends, or at a holiday get-together. Everyone can paint their own “tree,” and no two will ever look alike.
- Endless decorating possibilities. Display them on a mantel, tuck them into your Christmas village, or give them as handmade gifts. They add a pop of color and a personal touch wherever they go.
Love making your Christmas decor? Me too! In recent years it’s been one of the highlights of my holiday season. I have an entire post dedicated to all my favorite handmade Christmas decor that I’m sure you’ll love.


Materials
Let’s get into the materials list. You only need three things to make these colorful wood trees. Love that!
- Wood board(s) – A simple 2×6 board works perfectly for this project. Once cut into triangles, it becomes the base for your colorful little forest.
- Sandpaper – Used to smooth the edges and surfaces of the wood after cutting, giving each tree a clean, finished look.
- Craft or acrylic paint – Choose your favorite shades of craft or acrylic paint to bring your trees to life. Go for a mix of traditional Christmas colors or something a bit more modern and unexpected.
- Paintbrushes – You’ll need a few different brushes for painting and detailing. The back end of a small brush also comes in handy for adding the white dots.

How to Make
Okay, are you ready to start crafting? Let’s do it! I’ll still take you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a list of materials and detailed instructions in the printable how-to card below.
- To start, I used a 2×6-inch board and measured it into sections that could be cut into eight triangles to form the trees.

💌 SAVE THIS POST / RECIPE!

- Once the triangles were cut, I sanded each one to smooth out any rough edges.
- Next, it was time to paint. I used acrylic craft paint in a satin finish, mixing in a bit of water to thin it slightly. This technique gives the paint a more translucent look and lets the natural wood grain show through.


- After all of the trees were painted and dry, I added a finishing touch of “snow” or “lights,” depending on how you interpret the look.
- To do this, I used the back end of a paintbrush to dab on small white dots across each tree.

- And just like that, my colorful wood Christmas trees were complete. They are now a cheerful and creative addition to my holiday decor.
And with that, my colorful colorful wood Christmas tree decorations were complete.


Project Variations
Love this project but looking to switch it up a bit? Here are some project variations you may want to try.
- Add a Base
Attach each triangle to a small block of wood to create freestanding trees. You can even vary the base heights for a tiered look. - Play with Texture
Try staining the wood instead of painting it for a rustic, farmhouse-style version. Or experiment with chalk paint or metallic finishes for a different vibe. - Incorporate Patterns
Use a stencil or painter’s tape to create stripes, plaids, or geometric shapes. A little gold or silver detail adds a modern holiday touch. - Add Sparkle and Shine
For extra holiday magic, sprinkle on glitter while the paint is still wet or add a few sequins or gems once dry. - Personalize Them
Write names or short holiday phrases on the trees and use them as place cards, gift toppers, or handmade tags for wrapped presents.

More Handmade Holiday Decor You’ll Love
- Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland
- DIY Christmas Cookie Bags
- Rustic Star Anise Christmas Wreath
- Bottle Brush Tree Drink Stirrers
- Cookie Cutter Wreath
These DIY Colorful Wood Trees turned out as I had envisioned! I’m loving the color combination, too. If you try this project and enjoy it, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
Want more from Inspired by Charm? Join the IBC Mailing List for inspiration in your inbox! Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest!

DIY Colorful Wood Trees
Ingredients
- Wood board cut into triangles
- Sandpaper
- Craft or acrylic paint in various colors
- Paintbrushes
Instructions
- To start, I used a 2×6-inch board and measured it into sections that could be cut into eight triangles to form the trees.
- Once the triangles were cut, I sanded each one to smooth out any rough edges.
- Next, it was time to paint. I used acrylic craft paint in a satin finish, mixing in a bit of water to thin it slightly. This technique gives the paint a more translucent look and lets the natural wood grain show through.
- After all of the trees were painted and dry, I added a finishing touch of “snow” or “lights,” depending on how you interpret the look.
- To do this, I used the back end of a paintbrush to dab on small white dots across each tree.
- And just like that, my colorful wood Christmas trees were complete. They are now a cheerful and creative addition to my holiday decor.


Love them all, especially the great colors you’ve chosen! I have 3 wooden trees that I’ve paired with my Old World Santas. Think it’s time for an update. Thanks!
These are so cute! I love that you can still see the wood grain, and the colours are perfect. Exactly the colour scheme I’m going for this year! They would be great on a mantelpiece too.
These are too cute-very Whoo down in Whoo ville-ish! Love them!
How pretty in color, but I bet an all white wash bunch would be fab, too-Thanks for the idea 🙂
So cute Michael! Thanks so much for sharing.
Kristi
OMG! These are too stinkin’ cute. Got to get hubby out in his shop. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE these! What a great idea…I will have to remember this for next year. GORGEOUS!!!
xoxo
Denyse
These are so freaking ADORABLE that I may have to make some…and I thought that I was FINISHED with the saw for this season….ah well, the guys from the Home Depot lumber department probably wonder why they have pieces of 2×4 left in their bin this week! Simply GORGEOUS! xo
Mishaps are never fun and I’m a total power tools noob too, but I’m going to attempt these anyways, because I CANNOT stop staring at them! They are so gorgeous! Great job!
You could also mix some glow-in-the-dark paint with your white “lights” and they would actually LIGHT UP when the lights are off! LOVE this idea.
These are my favorite thing of all the things i have seen this Christmas crafting season. I want a whole row of them of all shapes and sizes on my mantel. Love. Love. Love.
What a HUGE compliment!! Thank you so much Laura. That means the world to me!!
xo Michael
These are lovely! You are seriously one of the most creative bloggers – I am always blown away by your good taste and awesome craft ideas! I love these trees, and I know my mom would adore them… *Christmas present idea!*
Absolutely LOVE these! The sheer simplicity of the design and the color potential… bravo! I know what I’ll be doing this weekend.
I love these! I lean toward a more modern decorating design so these are perfect for me. I am sitting here imagining these in my home now. My favorite part is how you let the wood grain show through. Great job!!
I LOVE THEM!!! I will have to convince my hubby to cut some wood for me!!!!
I die!! LOVE these!!! Guess what my husband will be doing for me this weekend 🙂
So simple, but looks great! I’m going to have to make these this weekend. I have plenty of scraps to use up!
Yes! These are great to make from scrap wood!
xo Michael
LOVE this craft, so cute and so easy! i just found your blog via pinterest, and i’m your newest follower 🙂 http://www.handmadeintheheartland.com
So cute! And I love the colors. You even have Orchid – Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2014.
These are beyond adorable! I LOVE them with the village. You’ve done it again!
I LOVE them!!! These are modern, yet traditional and a great project for all ages….once you’re finished with the woodcutting part of the job. Wish I would have thought of this creative idea….I am going to steal it!! Awesome job!!
Steal away! That’s what it’s all about right. Glad you like them. 🙂
xo Michael